Brady Quinn illustrates instance that concerns NFL teams about CJ Stroud ahead of draft

There’s been a lot of noise surrounding former Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback CJ Stroud as of late, and it has not been the most endearing. Following the end of the college football season, Stroud was in a neck-and-neck race with Alabama quarterback Bryce Young as the answer to the question; who would be the top pick in the 2023 NFL Draft? But a lot has changed since then. More specifically, in how some teams with high picks view Stroud. And recently, former Notre Dame quarterback turned college football analysts Brady Quinn revealed why Stroud is starting to get the side eye from some NFL franchises with top picks in the first round.

“There’s some other stuff about interviews. And, for example, the Manning Passing Academy, I’ve been told that he committed to it the night before and just kind of ghosted them, (and) didn’t show up,” said Quinn. “That’s football royalty. And when you do that, that’s going to set off some alarms for people; like, hey man, that’s not how you conduct yourself, especially around the Manning family or just in general if you gonna be a franchise quarterback.”

The thought of Stroud falling out of the top two picks of the 2023 NFL Draft is a sentiment shared by other experts and analysts of the game. Recently, ESPN’s Adam Schefter suggested that the Houston Texans, owners of the number two pick who desperately need a starting quarterback, could go in a different direction or trade out of the spot altogether. And during Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd Mcshay’s draft special on Tuesday night, NFL analyst Chris Mortensen revealed what he is hearing suggests the Texans would prefer to go in another direction at quarterback than Stroud.

Quinn is still a fan of Stroud

For what it’s worth, Quinn believes that Stroud is the unquestioned second-best quarterback in this year’s draft. The former Buckeye has proved himself time and time again both on and off the field to Quinn, who believes he should still be, at worst, the second quarterback taken in this year’s draft.

“So, look, I still view him as the second quarterback that should be taking this draft class. He’s the most accurate quarterback in this draft class. He showcased athleticism and ability. Anytime I’ve been around the kid, he’s been an upstanding young man who’s grown and matured into a leader.

“But I think, what NFL teams are looking for… he’s just going to deliver the ball like he has and put up the numbers that he did. So, I think he’ll be the number two quarterback taken. But there is some talk right now, and maybe it’s smokescreens, that maybe some other teams are saying; well, wait a second. If Richardson has a higher ceiling, maybe he makes more sense for us to take if we can’t have a guy like Bryce Young.”

With the NFL draft less than two weeks away, fans and analysts of the game will soon get their chance to see what players are headed where. And even with all the negativity surrounding Stroud right now, it’s hard to see him falling out of the top of the 2023 NFL Draft.